Safe at Home Week seminars planned

DAMARISCOTTA, Maine — More people are injured in and around home than at work. Safe at Home Week, Aug. 22-26, promotes and emphasizes safety in and around the home to eliminate senseless home-related injuries.

During home safety week, daily seminars at Spectrum Generations Coastal Community Center, 521 Main St., will promote a safe and healthy friendship among you, your home and the environment. Call 563-1363 to reserve a spot in one or more Safe at Home Seminars and learn about the missing links to enable seniors, the disabled and others in need to remain at home and be safe.

There is a $5 participant fee per seminar. For community members who register for all of the center’s Safe at Home Seminars and prepay when checking into the first workshop, the participant fee is only $15.

The seminars are:

Story continues below advertisement.

• “Crime Busters — Safety Nets for Seniors and the Disabled: Lincoln County TRIAD.” 1 p.m. Aug. 23. Join members of LC’s TRIAD for a panel discussion about the resources available within our communities to keep you safe within your home as well as your community. Law enforcement officials, social service agencies and Spectrum Generations consumer information specialist Cynthia Troxel will speak on topics related to crime and fraud prevention such as: common scams, the techniques perpetrators use, whom to alert if someone identifies a scam or is victimized, home security systems, medical alert programs, 911 cellphones, file of life and more.

• “Keeping Yourself Healthy and Active: Balance Exercises for Couch Potatoes,” with fitness professional Robin Maginn, 10:15 a.m. Aug. 23. What does home safety have to do with fitness? Plenty. Spending time and energy on your health can provide a big payoff. You’ll not only feel better, you’ll reduce considerably the chances of having a fall or other injury. Learn how to turn your home into a safe and fun exercise machine without having to buy a lot of fancy equipment. Remaining physically active also reduces the risk of falling through more flexible joints, stronger bones and muscles, better heart and lung function, more energy, less fatigue, better sleep, and less anxiety and depression.

• “Managing Your Space as You Age,” with Matter of Balance coach Sally Johns, 10:15 a.m. Aug. 25. It is an accepted statistic that two-thirds of all accidental deaths of people over age 65 are the result of falls. Injuries can result from seemingly innocent things around your home, many of which are easily fixed or adapted after doing some detective work to track them down. Johns will offer tips and checklists to help inspect your home for evidence of trouble that may be waiting to happen. Reservations: 563-1363. $5 participant fee.

Staying Safe Online, 11:15 a.m. Aug. 25. It’s easy to be safe online if you know what to do and what not to do. Jim will offer practical tips to help you guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer and protect personal information.

• “Aging in Place: Creating a home for a lifetime,” 10:15 a.m. Aug. 26. “Aging in Place” is growing older without having to move. A significant concern as people grow older is that they may have to leave their home. This would mean leaving behind a comfortable setting, familiar community and many memories. In addition, a certain amount of control is lost when one leaves home. This “control” provides the underpinning to our feelings of dignity, quality of life and independence. One’s home is a strong element in that sense of security.

“Aging in Place” is a term that had been adopted by many businesses that provide housing solutions for accessibility and thus empower people to remain in their homes, to be safe, comfortable and independent. Gina Philippon and Bob Hardina from Mid-Coast Energy in Damariscotta will present a seminar about “Aging in Place,” a new positive trend in home modification that allows one to remain living at home and prolong nursing home placement indefinitely. Learn how even simple modifications can overcome many accessibility issues. Before and after project photos will be shared and discussed.